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#1
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5x4 enlargers
I am toying with the idea of getting a 5x4 enlarger. I have a 5x4 camera which is not getting much use. I have an LPL 7700 for my other work.
What are the preferred options? I have no experience of enlarging this type of negative - I usually scan the negatives at this size. I am also concerned about the height as my darkroom ceiling is not that high either. Some of these beasts seem huge. I am only intererested in monochrome. There is a devere going near me but it does not have the necessary holders for 5x4 or the right lenses, so considerations of how easy it is to get hold of accessories seems to be quite important. There seem to be a lot of bargains around, but these also could be false economy. Any advice appreciated. |
#2
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5x4 DeVere Neg Holders and 135/150mm lenses are easily obtained either on flee-bay or Secondhand Darkrooms.
New DeVere bits are available too from Odyssey - http://www.odyssey-sales.co.uk/ I'm not familiar withe the B&W version - but when looking at older colour units watch out for dodgy power transformers - they can be expensive to replace. The top of my column is about 50 inches above the work surface. Hope this helps Martin |
#3
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Thanks. That's all useful!
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#4
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Quote:
__________________
MartyNL “Reaching a creative state of mind thru positive action is considered preferable to waiting for inspiration.” - Minor White, 1950 |
#5
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50" I can get away with for column height if I get a slightly lower bench, but does the head usually protrude above the column for say a 16x12 print? I don't usually print bigger than that (occasionally16x20).
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#6
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Quote:
Even the short column, a 16"x12" print is readily achievable, and should you want to go bigger, wall or floor projection is always an option. |
#7
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Quote:
For example my LPL7700 column just fits under my darkroom ceiling, but I cannot raise the head to the top of the column because it would hit the ceiling before it got there. Thus there is a limit to how much enlargement I can get out of it. The Durst column is quite high as it is, but in the diagram above the head goes a lot higher, but it probably doesn't have to for my purposes. Hope this makes sense |
#8
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you could get a low bench which allows you to use the full height of the coloumn plus head. This would be for the large size prints and you would have to crawl on the floor for printing but that is possible
Then for smaller size prints (8x10, 9x12) build a desktop insert that brings you up to normal height - where you probably will work most of the time. Peter |
#9
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I solved my headroom problem with 6x7 enlarger with a wide angle lens. I don't know if there is a wide angle lens suitable for 5x4, does one exist?
Tony |
#10
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A 135mm will give you a bit of extra headroom and I think they tend to be a little cheaper than a 150mm.
www.theonlinedarkroom.com |
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